Submissions to The Drift & Dribble Miscellany

The Miscellany showcases an eclectic range of voices, each elaborating on their own unique perspective through imaginative or reflective works. Writings are not A.I.-edited or follow outlines as expected, or are necessarily grammatically pedestrian or hit prescribed tension/resolution beats. But...text is authentic and worthy of a read and authored by our fellow humans who deserve our ear for a few moments for all they’ve been through.

We publish stories, poems, essays, narrative fine art/photography and dribbles, and especially those works that capture the uniqueness and beauty of inhabiting our complex human world, and leaving us in lingering thought. We welcome literary and experimental work, personal accounts, ambiguous characters and surreal or witty takes from the cornucopia, and look for writing that brings clarity to the ethereal and isn’t afraid to play. Those with unusual perspectives and original thinkers are part of our tribe and encouraged to submit. Let's see what you have.

Time Sensitive Open Calls

Due by January 1st, 2026

Literary Lists: Fiction/Nonfiction/Hybrid, bullets or strings of words or phrases that tell a story. Up to ~1,000 words or 50 lines.

We invite submissions for a special feature: Literary Lists - creative works that derive meaning from their sequence. We’re interested in lists that read like micro-essays, inventories of reminders, bucket-lists, or grievances. Think of a family dynamic revealed in a grocery list, a to-do list that speaks to ambition and its inevitable failures, a ranking of past lovers or a categorizing of their unforgivable wrongs. Humor, drama, and originality are all encouraged.

Due by February 1st, 2026

The Contents of a Room: Fiction/Nonfiction, 300-1000 words.

A still life or a glimpse into a life. Show us what you see.

Due by February 14, Valentine's Day, 2026

And Yet I Loved Her So: Fiction/Creative Nonfiction, Up to 3,000 words.

After all you’ve been through, tell us about the one you loved this Valentine's Day (any gender)—not the good kind of naked, but the bald truth.

Due by March 1st.

Hooked From the First Line: Fiction/Nonfiction Excerpts.

You've crafted it, massaged it, and given it life. Now give us that compelling opening paragraph of your novel or short story. Stop at one if you can.

Due by April 1st.

Me? Unreliable Narrator?: First Person Fiction, up to 3000 words.

Dare to charm, manipulate and deceive us. Or fool yourself.

Due by May 1st.

Note to You, My Younger Self: Fiction/Nonfiction, 700 - 1000 words.

Second Person Self Address preferred. If you only knew.

Ongoing Open Call Genres

Fiction: Short stories, flash, novel excerpts and experimental work. Up to ~4,000 words. The sweet spot for dribbles is 50 words (our most challenging format).

Imaginative prose should be clear and thoughtful (if we can’t understand it, we can’t publish it); should elevate stakes and offer a unique perspective. Make it about something and lean into it. We avoid sexy themes (to remain accessible to all ages).

Nonfiction: Essays, memoir, commentary, or hybrid pieces. Up to ~4,000 words.

Write about the good stuff--the aside you tell your friend. Use a pen name if it helps. We want to learn from your nonfiction and prefer depth and a frank look at issues over a myopic view. And yes, it can be stranger than fiction.

Dribbles (50 words or less): Up to 3 related works per submission.

This very short form is challenging: how to pack depth into a few words. We look for dribbles that challenge or enlighten us. We especially love rhyming and word play and depth of meaning and clever vocabulary that is precise. We hope for prose that makes us think and/or feel and expect creative experimentation in this format.

Ongoing Open Call, Visual Genre

Narrative Sketchbooks—Art and Text Combined: Open to drawn/painted visuals that include hand-lettered notes (preferred) or accompanying text, and that tell a story or describe lived experiences (as when traveling).

These can be journalistic or imaginative and can also be in the form of stand-alone illustration or fine art when it combines the written word.

Currently Closed Genres

Poetry: We've been overwhelmed with poetry submissions. Sorry. Please check back at a later time.

Format

Submit in a common text format: .doc, .docx, .odt, .pdf, .txt, or .rtf.

Unpublished work only.

Simultaneous submissions allowed--but please promptly withdraw if accepted elsewhere.

Supporting Materials

Writers may submit accompanying art/photographs to be used as text illustration (and altered) by our graphic designers (after obtaining copyright permissions if needed).

Include a link to your author page (or preferred web page), if you have one.

How To Submit

By clicking either of the above buttons: Duosuma by Duotrope or Submittable (both with a very small fee).

One submission per category. Please do not resubmit for 6 months to allow others a chance.

Submission Fee

Thank you for your small reading fee at Duosoma and Submittable which helps support both their organization-optimized platforms and our administration fees/events (Not salaries: we have an all volunteer staff.)

Payment

At this time we don't offer payment (even though you absolutely deserve it) and don't feel that token amounts offer a proper validation of your work. Of course, in the future we hope to offer fair compensation if it can be managed within the economics of publishing. For now, we are all in this for art's sake.

Response time

We respond within a few weeks. Often within a week or so, sometimes slower.

Rights

We ask for first online publishing rights, which revert to the author upon publication. If you republish your work later, we would be honored if you credit The Drift & Dribble Miscellany as the first publisher.

Genres Accepted

General/Literary (preferred)

Open to Most Genres

Audience

Adult (primary)

Young Adult (secondary, with crossover)

Themes & Topics of Special Interest

Complexity of the human experience

Unusual takes on everyday life

Culture, tribe and society

Nature and the environment

Alternate viewpoints and inner worlds

Experimental forms and voices

We Appreciate:

Situations that elevates stakes

Dialogue that is character-driven

Entertaining and thought-provoking concepts

Poetic use of vocabulary and word-play (without being cryptic)

Inventive structure or perspective

Plots that challenge morality

Literature grounded in the richness of human experience

Genres Not a Great Fit

Conventional commercial and genre-driven, mass-market, sexy scenes/erotica, fantasy, supernatural, implausible sci-fi, religious or political opinion, formulaic romance/horror/thriller or gratuitous violence/gore.

Artists Who Would Like to Contribute:

Artists of all types (painters, drawers, multi-media, photographers…) are welcome within our literary community. Contact us if you have a love of literature, see pictures in your head, and would like to contribute to our magazine. Visual artists must be able to provide high quality digital images in JPG format within a relatively short turn-around time. (See our discussion of the power of art and design on our 'About' page.)